The UN General Assembly voted to suspend Russia from the global body's Human Rights Council as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine.

South Africa was one of 58 countries that abstained, including Senegal, Brazil, Mexico and India.

URGENT??

The UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia's membership in the UN Human Rights Council @UN_HRC

In favor: 93

Abstained: 58

Against: 24 pic.twitter.com/6EavdZJspc

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 7, 2022

In a statement, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, says South Africa believes the resolution was premature and will only lead to further divisions within the UN Assembly.

“South Africa is of the firm belief that the tabling of the resolution that we will consider is premature and prejudges the outcomes of the Commission of Enquiry. We just allow the Commission to urgently undertake its mandate and report to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly on its outcomes.

It is also imperative that all parties to the conflict must allow the Commission to perform its duties without any hindrance and interference,” says Mabhongo.

The horrific discovery of mass graves in Bucha must be investigated and those responsible held accountable.

There must be an urgent and immediate ceasefire in Ukraine to end the bloodshed that has already taken so many lives. https://t.co/E6xsvPtqaj

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 4, 2022

This past weekend, disturbing photos emerged from the city of Bucha, a suburb of the capital, Kyiv, where hundreds of civilian bodies were found in the streets and in mass graves following Russia’s withdrawal from the area, the UN reported. 

Following these atrocities and prior to the vote, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya urged countries to support the resolution. 

“Bucha and dozens of other Ukrainian cities and villages, where thousands of peaceful residents have been killed, tortured, raped, abducted and robbed by the Russian Army, serve as an example of how dramatically far the Russian Federation has gone from its initial declarations in the human rights domain. That is why this case is unique and today’s response is obvious and self-explanatory,” he said. 

Also read: Devastation and loss - Bucha, Ukraine

Mabhongo says South Africa is deeply concerned about the reports of the civilian casualties in Ukraine.

“As the international community, we cannot be indifferent to the killing and suffering of civilians. The humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the ongoing military operations must be addressed and there must be an urgent opening of humanitarian corridors and the provision of aid to the civilian population.”

There is a 'massive malnutrition crisis’ due to the #Ukraine war, already beginning in the #MiddleEast + North #Africa because of price hikes in staple foods @UNICEF @AdeleKhodrhttps://t.co/N47XCVbOgS

— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 8, 2022

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